Adding Infected Chickens to Flock

[emmabrant98]

Hello everyone! I have three hens currently and have been looking to add to my flock. I picked up a few pullets from a local farmer last week and quickly realized one of them had an infected-looking eye and the others had nose discharge.

I notified the woman I had bought them from and ended up bringing them back to her as I am new to owning chickens and didn’t feel equipped to handle the issue quite yet.

They didn’t interact with my other hens, but what I’m wondering is if it is safe to get other chickens from the same woman? Or do you think all the chickens are carriers of a respiratory disease? She even offered I could have the chickens back after they recover a bit but I’m nervous to endanger my current flock.

Thanks!

 

[sourland]

Do not get any birds from this source. Many respiratory diseases result in birds that remain carriers and can infect your flock for the rest of their lives. I would suggest getting pullet chicks in the spring and raising them to add to your flock.

 

[Eggcessive]

Great advice from Sourland. Many people do not mind passing on chickens who are carriers of a disease. Most respiratory diseases which cause runny eyes, nostrils, coughing, sneezing, etc can last forever. All your chickens will become carriers for life until the last one is gone. Any new flock members should be quarantined for at least a month, and monitored for symptoms of disease. I will only get new chickens as baby chicks from a hatchery or feed store who have not been exposed to other older chickens. That is the best way to not bring in a disease.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

^^^Ditto!

 

[Folly's place]

You might have already infected your flock, if these birds were out there at all, or if you didn't keep everything they touched either washed/ disinfected, or thrown out.
As mentioned, only birds from good hatcheries, or home bred, are best. And get your hatchery chicks vaccinated against Marek's disease also.
Mary

 

[FrostRanger]

Don't walk, run away from this source as fast as you can and don't look back. This exactly why quarantine is so important. Be glad you took the time to do so

 

[SourRoses]

Nothing wrong with getting birds from regular people. But you have to quarantine, and check the birds over carefully before the purchase is complete.

I just sold a pair last night to a gentleman that shows, I was impressed with his efficiency in the examination. To give you an idea what experienced people look at...
He picked each up and first studied their faces, checking the eyes (bright, clear) the nares (clean, not irritated) the combs (even color, healthy skin). He lifted their tails briefly (no signs of mess), feeling that the tail was straight and mobile. Hand over the back to check the spine and underneath to feel the keel bone (some of this is conformation rather than health). He spread their wings to check for angel wing, etc. and in general commented their feathers felt nice (smooth, good gloss) which is a sign of a generally healthy chicken preening itself well and a sign of good diet.
He inverted them to look at the scales on their legs (none lifted) and soles of their feet for bumblefoot / breed appropriate color.
He may have been looking at more than this, but that's what I could track his eyes doing in the 45 seconds or so it took him.
I know I would take a lot longer to do it and wouldn't be moving the birds around so efficiently.
Despite the initial health check, he stated they would be quarantined for 6 weeks in a separate pen.

Also, we met in a parking lot for biosecurity.
It should never be on the breeder / sellers property (unless perhaps you stay out at the road and they come up to you). If they suggest or allow you come on to their property, you know they do that with others who could have infected their birds, so it's a major red flag.

Why does it matter that people can source birds from private sellers?
Someone may have just what you want, or the ages you want.
Rarer breeds aren't always available at the hatcheries, like the LF WFBS I sold last night.
And lines developed by breeders can meet a lot more of your goals than casually bred hatchery stock.
It's not always about aesthetics either, as many practical aspects of a breed may be better actualized by a breeder.
* Example... I once got 20 hatchery stock Speckled Sussex, put all the time into raising them, only to find all the eggs stayed on the small side of medium. They had poor appearance and small bodies as well, but it was the impractical eggs that made that our last purchase from a hatchery.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

What are WFBS, @SourRoses ?

 

[SourRoses]

What are WFBS, @SourRoses ?

White Faced Black Spanish

Spoiler

I was using these two for a cross breeding project (Smurf thread). Now that I have enough chicks I didn't need them anymore, but their new owner was happy to find them.